Another massive earthquake in Sumatra region (1 Viewer)

[Dana Fillhart]

An 8.7 magnitude quake just occurred after an 8.2. I get notifications by email (and I have my MSN alert my cell phone so I get the messages immediately wherever I'm at).

[EDIT] - The 8.7 was revised from the 8.2 - there was only one earthquake (though it was huge!)

2005/03/28 16:09 M 8.7 NORTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA Z= 30km 2.08N 97.01E

This REVISED information is provided by the USGS
National Earthquake Information Center.
(Address problems to: [email protected])

These parameters are preliminary and subject to revision.

A magnitude 8.7 earthquake IN NORTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA has occurred at:
2.08N 97.01E Depth 30km Mon Mar 28 16:09:36 2005 UTC

Time: Universal Time (UTC) Mon Mar 28 16:09:36 2005
Time Near Epicenter Mon Mar 28 23:09:36 2005
Eastern Standard Time (EST) Mon Mar 28 11:09:36 2005
Central Standard Time (CST) Mon Mar 28 10:09:36 2005
Mountain Standard Time (MST) Mon Mar 28 09:09:36 2005
Pacific Standard Time (PST) Mon Mar 28 08:09:36 2005
Alaska Standard Time (AST) Mon Mar 28 07:09:36 2005
Hawaii Standard Time (HST) Mon Mar 28 06:09:36 2005

Location with respect to nearby cities:
205 km (125 miles) WNW of Sibolga, Sumatra, Indonesia
245 km (155 miles) SW of Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia
535 km (330 miles) WSW of KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia
1410 km (880 miles) NW of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia

 

[Neil Joseph]

How large was the last one?

 

[James St]

I believe the quake in December that caused the Tsunami was a 9.0.

 

[Robert_Gaither]

Man that must really suck, first you survive the flood and then this, I bet people there are now either very religious or very aetheistic (bad events like this makes people either cling to their faith or abandon it). I hope the best for the people there and any who was visiting.:frowning:

 

[DustinLC]

Scientists are scratching their heads as to why there's no Tsunami this time.

 

[Kevin Alexander]

The quake that caused the tsunami in January was a colossal vertical shift in the ocean floor resulting in the massive displacement of water stretching hundreds of miles across. This recent quake, although powerful as well, could've only resulted in a horizontal shifting of the earth's plates which would not have set off a tsunami.

 

[Carlo_M]

ding! ding! ding! By Jove, Kevin's got it! [or at least is very close]

Those scientists scratching their heads need to hit the books

Most geologists in SoCal (where they always get front-n-center coverage on local news whenever a quake strikes) had an idea that due to the kind of quake it was, that a tsunami was less likely. Sure there may have been initial confusion, and of course to be safe you should move to higher ground regardless, but when one fails to materialize, it shouldn't be all that puzzling, especially to those who study the phenomenon for a living.

 

[Kevin Alexander]

I'm no scientist, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

 

[ThomasC]

 

[Neil Joseph]

This is reminding me so much of "State Of Fear" that I have mentioned in another thread.